The UFC 234 weigh-ins have delivered an iconic moment for the sport as legendary middleweight Anderson Silva broke down on stage after stepping off the scales.

The 43-year-old veteran was unable to compose himself when asked about what it mens to him to be back in the Octagon and he was unable to keep it together ahead of his showdown with red-hot Kiwi Israel Adesanya at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Sunday.

Silva left commentators stunned when he was asked a first question following his weigh-in, but needed almost a full minute to compose himself before he was able to give a response.

After twice burying his head into his chest to try and hide tears, the veteran, all-time legend was simply overcome by the immensity of what could be his final fight in the Octagon.

He said afterwards, he was simply overcome by the joy of getting one final chance to step into the Octagon.

“Thankyou guys. I worked my entire life for this sport,” Silva said.A UFC Heavyweight Championship bout between champion Daniel Cormier (also the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion) and Derrick Lewis is expected to headline the event.

“I have tried to do my best and I need to say thankyou to god for giving me one more shot, one more time.”

The emotion in the building also caught up with his opponent Adesanya, who also fought back tears when paying tribute to Silva immediately after.“He’s going to make me cry,” Adesanya said.

“F*** him. I’m a fan of this man, but just because I’m a fan, that doesn’t mean that he can can catch these hands and feet and elbows. Tomorrow we’re going to have some fun and I’ll send him off in a nice way.”

An emotional Adesanya appeared to be overcome by the magnitude of coming up against his childhood hero, while also receiving immense support in Melbourne from New Zealand fans.UFC commentator Ariel Helwani described the emotional scenes as something he has “never seen before”.Other UFC commentators were more taken by Adesanya’s classy, colourful response to Silva’s breakdown.Watch Now